Visiting Faculty & Interim Director of Opera Studies

Description

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Music announces a full-time Visiting Faculty opening for the 2026-2027 Academic Year to serve as Interim Director of Opera Studies.

The Interim Director of Opera Studies is responsible for producing 2 fully staged opera productions and an opera scenes program or concert performance with the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic. They will direct at least one production and for all productions are responsible for the auditions and casting of student performers, coordinating with vocal coaches and music staff, serving on appropriate audition and recital panels, engaging guest artists as necessary, participating in the design process, and working closely with the Production Manager. In addition, the successful candidate will teach acting and opera workshop courses.

About the program

Founded in 1912, CMU’s School of Music offers Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Music degrees in instrumental, piano, and vocal performance and composition; a Bachelor of Fine Arts in electronic music; and a Master of Music in collaborative piano. In collaboration with the School of Computer Science and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the School also offers both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Music and Technology. With 42 full-time faculty, 55 part-time faculty (including 22 from the Grammy-Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony), and 13 administrative and technical staff, Carnegie Mellon’s School of Music blends the one-on-one conservatory model of musical mentorship with the resources and research capacities of an R1 university. Carnegie Mellon is renowned for its interdisciplinary work, including but not limited to the areas of arts and technology, machine learning, AI, and new media.

 

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a master’s degree or higher, or equivalent experience, and have experience serving as a stage or musical director with professional opera companies and/or university programs.

Application Instructions

Application materials should include:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Contact information for 5 professional references

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Carnegie Mellon University is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.